Making Cookies

Samuel has been wanting to make cookies for days and days now. We finally found an opportunity to make them today. We also were able to spend some time alone together in the process, something, I have been told, he has not had enough of lately. It is hard for me to fathom sometimes, because I seem to spend so much time with my kids during the day, that they could need to spend more time with me. And yet one-on-one time with momma is something different than other types of spending time. Samuel left cookie-making feeling connected and cheerful and very proud because today was the first time his egg-cracking was successful!

Now back to business outside with the sprinkler! Today Samuel fought the sprinkler with a sword and shield (the garden plants were pleased as well). Eva started off enthusiastic and even put on her swim suit. Later, however, she came to tell me she was afraid of the sprinkler and didn't want to play with it any more. So it is up to Sir Samuel to slay the mighty sprinkler! Eva told me it is nice when Samuel enjoys himself.

Chocolate chip cookies
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4- 2 1/2 cups spelt flour
2 Tbsp vanilla
1 Tbsp baking powder
chocolate chips to taste

Do the usual cookie thing and bake at 350 for about 14 minutes. These are not as sweet as other cookies. You can make them more usual by doubling the sugars and using white flour, but why would you want to do that?

tomato plants!

Today I planted the first of the tomato plants to grow in the garden I have set up. Last year I planted some in early April and this year I heeded advice to wait until May- so it is almost May and there are two plants in! Eva helped me plant the cucumber plants she picked out and Samuel helped to water some flower seeds. I want to have a small cut flower garden so that Eva can pick as many as she wants. The garden is already so lovely and we ate soup made from chard and onions I picked yesterday! This new house we are living in has such a wonderful yard and the garden space is a dream.

The kids are playing baseball right now, a sure sign it is warmer outside!

And at the Portland farmer's market today- strawberries, asparagus and some rhubarb pie from Ellen. Hooray for spring produce!

why practice?

I use the word practice a lot these days. The other day I was with my son at the skating rink and I was helping him try out roller skating. He was very frustrated and told me he didn't want to practice, he just wanted to know how to roller skate. I could relate. This got me thinking and I looked up practice in the dictionary:

practice-1. to do or engage in frequently or usually; make a habit or custom of /to practice thrift/
2. to do repeatedly in order to learn or become proficient

To be sure, many things I do fall under both categories. I practice mothering my children; I practice growing tomato plants; I practice knitting; I practice being angry without yelling; I practice listening. Sometimes I am where I want to be and sometimes not. What I am learning is that for me continuing to practice is what counts. Life is a process and practice is a part of that process.